.S. Forest Service consolidates national fire and aviation authorities

The U.S. Forest Service today announced an alignment of national wildfire management authorities that strengthens operational efficiency and clarifies reporting roles across the agency. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz delivered the formal delegation of authority letter today, consolidating all fire and aviation authorities under the agency’s Deputy Chief of Fire and Aviation Management, Safety, and Employee Wellbeing, a position currently held by Sarah Fisher. The delegation is effective immediately and implements Executive Order 14308 and Secretary Memorandum 1078-017.

Under the delegation, all fire and aviation authorities outlined in Forest Service Manual 1230 (Delegations of Authority) and 5100 (Fire Management) are reassigned to the deputy chief, except where a specific delegation restricts the exercise of certain powers reserved to the chief. The action establishes distinct lines of authority and reduces administrative layers to support more efficient delivery of national wildfire response and aviation operations.

Specifically, the deputy chief is authorized to oversee wildfire response, preparedness and aviation management programs; authorize critical fire-related expenditures, resource allocations, communications and emergency response and emergency declarations across the agency.

In addition, supervision of the agency’s Geographic Area Fire Directors will shift to the Deputy Chief of Fire and Aviation Management, Safety, and Employee Wellbeing, effective immediately. Aligning supervisory responsibility with national fire and aviation authorities will provide a more direct line of accountability and strengthen coordination across the agency’s geographic areas.

“Today, it is more important than ever that we move with speed, clarity and accountability when fire threatens our communities, our forests and our critical infrastructure,” said Chief Schultz. “This action streamlines reporting structures, creates clarity and ensures the people responsible for managing these critical programs have the authorities they need to get the job done.”

The delegation does not change fire organization or field structure at the forest level and does not alter this season’s operational posture. The shift formalizes existing governance updates and reinforces a unified chain of authority for national fire and aviation management. The Forest Service and interagency parters previously completed all action items under EO 14308, updating national wildfire governance structures and primary interagency agreements guiding wildfire response. Today’s delegation aligns the agency’s internal structure with that national direction.

About the Forest Service: The Forest Service has brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation for more than 100 years. Grounded in world-class science and technology—and rooted in communities—the Forest Service connects people to nature and recreation opportunities. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, supports the nation’s forest industry and energy needs, and operates the largest and most respected wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. By providing assistance to state and private landowners and working with Tribes and other partners, the Forest Service also helps steward an additional 900 million forested acres within the U.S.